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Indians get infielder McDonald from Pirates

Indians get infielder McDonald from Pirates

4/28/13: John McDonald lifts a double to left, scoring Brandon Inge from second to give the Pirates a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth

By Jordan Bastian
/
MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- The Indians have brought back a familiar face to help shore up their backup shortstop role.

On Monday, Cleveland announced that it has acquired veteran infielder John McDonald from the Pirates in exchange for a player to be named and/or cash considerations, giving the Tribe an experienced shortstop to back up Mike Aviles while starter Asdrubal Cabrera is on the disabled list.

Cabrera suffered a strained right quad while running to first base in the fifth inning against the Yankees on June 3. The two-time All-Star shortstop is expected to be sidelined for at least another two or three weeks, according to Indians manager Terry Francona.

Cabrera is currently working through a rehab program back in Cleveland.

"He's actually doing a pretty good job," Francona said on Monday. "Today he was sitting in a chair playing catch, trying to keep his arm going. He's been in the [pool], pretty aggressive in the water, and even doing some dry-land semi-squatting. He's doing a pretty good job.

"He's champing at the bit, which is good," He's a ways away, but he's doing really well. He's kind of taking it as a challenge."

Through 53 games this season, Cabrera has hit .254 with five home runs, 18 doubles and 25 RBIs for the Indians. Aviles is currently serving as the regular shortstop while Cabrera is out. Juan Diaz was called up on Tuesday, when Cabrera was placed on the 15-day DL, but did not appear in a game for Cleveland. The Indians have not announced the corresponding roster move to add McDonald to the active roster, but in all likelihood Diaz will be optioned back to Triple-A Columbus.

To clear room on the 40-man roster, the Indians transferred injured starter Brett Myers to the 60-day disabled list. Myers has been out since April 20 with an injured right elbow.

The 38-year-old McDonald can help provide a sound defensive option off the bench.

McDonald has spent parts of 15 seasons in the Major Leagues between stints with the Indians, Blue Jays, Tigers, D-backs, and Pirates. He was taken in the 12th round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft by Cleveland and spent parts of the 1999-04 seasons with the Tribe. McDonald has hit just .237 in 970 career games, including a .065 mark in 16 games this year with Pittsburgh, but his primary skill has always been defense.